2020 Kia Seltos quietly launched in UAE and GCC
Kia is in the process of expanding its SUV lineup. With the Telluride pegged at the top, they have now globally launched a new quasi-SUV, the Kia Seltos, as their entry-level offering. It was first unveiled in India a few months ago and we hear an influencer-filled media launch event was quietly conducted in the UAE, which is probably why local reviews are sparse.
The design of the Indian-built Kia Seltos may be a tad too busy for most people but it looks generically handsome for a compact SUV. The LED headlamps, DRLs and fog lamps adorn the front and rear, at least in top-trim models. A GT Line appearance package is optional.
It has been announced that the UAE and GCC markets will only get a non-turbo 121 hp 1.6-litre and a turbo 138 hp 1.4-litre, both mated to a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel-drive. This is in stark contrast to North American markets, where a 146 hp 2.0-litre and a 175 hp 1.6-litre turbo are offered with optional all-wheel-drive.
Inside, the GCC-spec Seltos is offered with an 8-inch infotainment screen, basic cruise control, sunroof, rear camera, manual or automatic a/c, 3.5-inch or 7-inch gauge cluster screen, and up to 6 airbags. In the U.S. market, it is offered with a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 8-speaker Bose premium sound system, lane departure warning, smart cruise control with stop and go function, forward collision assist and more.
The Kia Seltos walks into a competitive market in which the products are barely different from one another. Though the Seltos doesn’t bring much to set the segment on fire, but it should attract the usual commuter-car customer base. It will be in showrooms at some point this month, apparently starting at Dhs 68,000 to compete with rather competent rivals that we compared last year.
Comments
Nooh. K.V.
Please send the full details of maruthi Suzuki Jimny at India. Thanks.
phillip h.
Very nice from the pictures. I think with the styling it should sell well in the USA and North america.
Mehmet balta
2litre 146hp will do well in Australia
Punathil sharfudheen
My favourite car
Punathil sharfudheen
My favourite car seltos
Punathil sharfudheen
Is Test drive available???
Mohamad
Hello all, so here is my experience, I have paid a deposit for this car a month ago and I was promised black interior, when I received a call to come and check the car out at arrival, I found out that the car come with white interior that looks absolutely cheap.. I was so disappointed and pissed, at the price of 82000 aed, KIA motors should have really order a wide range of colours. Anyway, don’t believe all you see in the video, the car in display is the Korean version that comes with way more options than the full option. If you actually drive the car in here, u will see that it is not comfortable at all, the 1.6 l engine gives you a weak experience. Anyway, this is my honest opinion and I now have decided to buy an MG HS car instead, cheaper price with premium quality.
Aalok
There is no 1.4, only 1.6.
Plus no Ventilated Seats, no HUD display, no 360 degree camera.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I believe the dealer eventually decides what to order.
Megdadi
and this is really bad, specially for the Korean cars, the difference in specs and gadgets between the foreign market and here is crazy.